Leasing News

“I enjoy reading the news from you everyday. It kept me connected to the industry while I was unemployed. I am going work at Pentech. They did post an add on your site and I did see it. They had contacted me and asked for my resume

( I worked form them briefly in the past).

“Thanks for your help and all you do on behalf of everyone in the industry. It is appreciated.”

Jennifer Kardos

jen94401@yahoo.com

[Headlines]

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Senior Sales Representatives- Nationwide. AEF has aggressive pricing, products and programs to serve your Lessee and Vendor requirements. Work from your home while our Citrix server keeps you connected 24/7. Generous compensation and bonus for exceptional results. To become a representative please e-mail your credentials to: rbaccaro@aefllc.com.

SALES--Territory Mgrs. needed. Small to lower- middle-market lessor. Unequaled backroom support. Lead generation. Bruce Larsen 877-333-5864, or, blarsen@leasingpartnerscapital.com

"Telesales Reps-Newton, MA/Nationwide. Integrity Leasing seeks reps to call on our Vendors and Lessee's. Should have at least two years experience structuring and CLOSING small/mid ticket transactions and Vendor programs, and bring A BOOK OF BUSINESS. Generous commissions, draw possible. Email resumes to markg@integrityleasing.com or fax to 617-641-9374. "

About the Company: www.integrityleasing.com

In addition to the “help wanted” ads getting response, so does our “jobs wanted” ads at:

http://65.209.205.32/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

This Week’s Economic Events

May 20

TUESDAY

Federal Budget: April

Fresno, CA Brokers Meeting

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202003/05_16_2003.htm#may

May 21

WEDNESDAY

EAEL Luncheon

Morristown, New Jersey

http://www.leasingnews.org/#may

May 22

THURSDAY

Weekly Jobless Claims

May 23

FRIDAY

Look for a half-day and

next week to be as slow as

Friday is Memorial Day

[Headlines]

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AGLF Las Vegas Spring Conference Wrap-up

by Christopher Menkin

Heard at the Association for Government Leasing and Finance Spring Conference last Friday, Las Vegas, Nevada: “We are busy.” “More federal government business due to the GSA changing rules.” “ Economy to be the same, maybe get worse.” “Profits margins appear to be very tight.” One originator said he felt good to get 25 basis points over the cost of funds on a “small” $300,000 transaction.

(One one-hundredth of a percent is a basis point. Thus, if a bond's yield drops from 6.56 percent to 6.51 percent, it is said to have fallen by 5 basis points.)

110 attended, and it appeared all were there to learn. The sessions were

full. While there was one session, “Back to the Basics,” it was the only workshop

that appeared be aimed at people new to the industry. I could not identify anyone

in the room that was not already familar with the terms and “basics.”

The last workshop of the three day Spring Conference was a lawyer’s panel

“question and answer” session, moderated by Pamela Doherty, Siemens Financial

Services with Panelists Tom Becker, Gilmore and Bell, Buzz Larsen, Chapman &

Cutler, Brade Ruwe, Peck Shaffer & Williams, LLP.

It was a full house with many specific questions on documentation, tax treatment. Most of the questions were written, but the audience raised their hand and answers

were given. While it was a serious session, there was humor and laughter from

the audience. Perhaps the best was the “pet peeves” on documentation from

one attorney, which some of his “top ten” brought a “belly laugh” from several

in the back.

Many in the audience were making notes, several had very long notes as if they

were taking much down. The panel answered every question. It appeared the

audience did not want the session to end. While it was serious, there was a lot

of inside levity as if they were watching the television show “Jeopardy.”

There were many women here, several minorities, and a cross section of age groups, many in the 30 to 40 age group. In the two previous reports, I mentioned how well dressed, polite, friendly, intelligent, and well mannered. If this

was a university, the group consisted of the top fraternity and sorority

on the campus.

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/AGLF%20-%20Grant%20St.htm

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/AGLF%20-%20Different.htm

The association is seeking new members, but it appears only those already involved in tax exempt leasing. There were no sessions on marketing, telemarketing, public relations, developing vendors, understanding financial statements, lease packaging, software programs, that are common on the commercial side.

While there is some “taxable” government leasing, the segment is very small. Transactions are relatively sophisticated, mostly sent out for public bid, and $250,000 is considered a “small ticket transaction.”

Municipal and federal government leasing and finance appears to be a growing

money segment, but highly specialized. It is not something you enter by telemarketing or cold calling, and the easiest entrance appears to ride a vendor’s thrust into the marketplace, which is complicated, often engaged in outright bidding (not just calling around to see what the current lease factor is,) and tied directly to prior due diligence, accurate and legal documentation ( not a boiler plate generic contract) and credit analysis that does not rely on a beacon consumer

credit score. Is it complicated? Is it sophisticated? This was one easy

bet to win in Las Vegas.

At the end, AGLF Executive Director Graham S. Hauck, not only promoted

the Fall 2003 Conference in Tucson, Arizona form November 12-14, but

reminded members to send out “...at least one postcard to a prospective

new member.”

http://two.leasingnews.org/imanges_uael_wael/postcard-front.jpg

The professionalism of Mr. Hauck with his Executive Assistant Brian

J. Mandrier, was evident in the material, handouts, prizes galore at the workshops,

and the entire success of the conference.

I ran into a gentlemen in Southwest garb in the elevator at the end of the conference who hoped I would come to the Tucson conference. I got the impression he was one of the original founders of the association because he said there was the need 22 years ago to form this group. The elevator arrived at the floor he had chosen, which ended the conversation. I almost felt like getting

off on his floor to finish the conversation, but wasn’t thinking quickly as

my mind was on getting to the airport on time. Perhaps it is a story

for the future how this niche association was born and survives

in this unusual economic time.

[Headlines]

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Public-Finance.com

An example of the “different world” is that Leasing News overlooked

the Public-Finance.com in our aggregate funder section : http://www.leasingnews.org/elease/elease.htm

Joe O’Brien said they have been active in this industry since 1991.

They bill themselves as “ the municipal leasing and bond experts.”

They have five offices and do leasing throughout the United States.

Perhaps this page defines it best:

http://www.public-finance.com/financial_advisor_brochure.htm

http://www.public-finance.com/brochure%205d.pdf

Leasing News hopes to do a full story on this company

This Evening-- Fresno, California Brokers Meeting

Fresno Area Brokers Meeting.

Tuesday, May 20 at Tony Roma's located at 2003

W. Bullard Avenue, Fresno, CA.

6:30pm No Host Cocktails

7:00pm -7:15pm: Choice of one of three entrée dinner

Rich Featherstone, a local leasing lease broker, who is also a CPA

will talk to us about the pros and cons of having a California

Finance Lenders License. His presentation will leave time for questions, so come

prepared. He has a long history in the leasing business.

He founded LeaseMark in Santa Rosa in 1986 and currently is with the

local firm Accountants Financial Services which is associated with Baker,

Peterson & Franklin, CPAs.

Please call or return e-mail your intentions to join us. It is

important to tell us your entrée preference.

Archie Julian JulianA@ExchangeBank.com

707)521-5027

[Headlines]

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Tomorrow--Wednesday, May 21^st—EAEL Luncheon

The Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors wants to remind everyone that it is holding a luncheon and industry gathering, hosted by Bruce Smith, in Morristown New Jersey Wednesday, May 21.

The Annual Crab Feast, hosted by Nancy Pistorio, Dennis

Horner and Scott Wheeler, will be held in Hanover, Maryland June 10.

This is one fun event, plus a chance to see your colleagues and make

new friends.

Please go to our website: www.eael.org or give me a telephone

call at: 914 381 5830.

Alison Pryor

Amfnyc@aol.comCome join us at our

[Headlines]

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Comdisco Distribution Completed

Bankruptcydata.com

Comdisco Holding Company, Inc. announced the completion of a quarterly

distribution from the disputed claim reserve established pursuant to its

Plan of Reorganization. Approximately $18 million in previously disputed

claims have been allowed since the last quarterly distribution and a

distribution from the disputed claims reserve was made to these

newly-allowed claimholders. Also, approximately $23 million in disputed

claims have been disallowed since the last quarterly distribution. As

required by the Plan of Reorganization, a supplemental distribution from the

disputed claims reserve was made to all class C-4 claimholders as a result

of such disallowance. Claims remaining in the disputed claim reserve

following these distributions have been reserved at a face amount of

approximately $334 million pursuant to bankruptcy court authority. The

Company emerged from Chapter 11 protection in August 2002.

[Headlines]

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#### Press Release ############################################

LeaseTeam, Inc. Announces Partnership with Premier Lease & Loan Services to Automate Insurance Coverage Through LeasePlus

Omaha, NE and Cincinnati, OH —— LeaseTeam, Inc., developers of LeasePlus^TM and Lease Sales Manager^TM, and Premier Lease & Loan Services^® announce their partnership in designing and developing the LeasePlus feature that allows LeasePlus customers to automatically interface with Premier Lease & Loan Services, providing comprehensive solutions to their insurance and outsourcing needs.

The initial version of this new LeasePlus feature was released to First Corp in Portland, Oregon in March and was available with the LeasePlus March general release. Dianne Kroll, Systems Analyst of FirstCorp was the first live customer to use this LeasePlus feature and commented, “We are delighted that Premier Lease & Loan Services has partnered with LeaseTeam to automate their insurance program. We have been using Premier for insurance follow-up and insurance placement for several years; not only has the program saved us tedious man-hours, it has become a significant profit center for the company. The new billing automation alone has saved us 15 man-hours each month. We are eagerly awaiting the next enhancement which will easily double that time-saving. There can be no more painless way to handle insurance compliance on our leased assets!”

With this interface, each new equipment lease is automatically covered under the lessor's policy at the time of lease origination. The lessee is then given the choice of insuring the equipment under this policy or providing proof of their own insurance. If the lessee chooses to use the lessor's policy for coverage, the charge for the insurance is billed and collected along with the regular lease payment. Should the lessee choose to provide its own coverage, this program provides insurance tracking and verification services to ensure the lessor's coverage requirements are met.

The integration of these two systems allows for exporting new lease originations to Premier for automatic coverage notification and placement. It automates the billing of the insurance to the lessee along with the rental payment. Upon cancellation of the insurance it also automatically reverses.

Premier’s insurance solution is easy to install on LeasePlus systems and provides automatic data communication with Premier Lease & Loan Services. To learn more about Premier Lease & Loan Services and the LeasePlus-PLLS interface, please contact Brei Haywood at (425)957-3609 or visit Premier Lease & Loan Services at www.plls.com

About Premier Lease & Loan Services

Premier Lease & Loan Services offers a broad range of insurance products and outsourcing solutions with a focus on customer satisfaction to meet the needs of equipment lessors. Premier’s creative and flexible programs provide risk management, fee income and product enhancement benefits. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Premier Lease & Loan Services has offices in Seattle, Chicago, San Diego, and New York City in the United States, as well as, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Premier Lease & Loan Services is a member of Great American Insurance Group. Great American’s parent company, American Financial Group, Inc. is a publicly owned New York Stock Exchange listed corporation (NYSE: AFG) based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

About LeaseTeam, Inc.

LeaseTeam, Inc. is a trusted provider of end-to-end leasing software solutions and application consulting services for the equipment leasing industry since 1989. Relied upon by more than 250 leasing businesses throughout North America, LeasePlus offers both in-house and ASP solutions to portfolio management with standard features such as billing, collection, servicing, lease accounting, and discounting. It provides full sales and use tax compliance, an automated buy-out calculator and records general ledger entries resulting from booked leases. Seamlessly integrated to LeasePlus, Lease Sales Manager is the leasing industry's most advanced front-end, e-commerce lease origination software. Both in-house and ASP options provide a scalable alternative for sophisticated real-time pricing; automated workflow, user definable work lists, integrated credit bureau reporting, integration with credit scoring and smart document generation. LeaseTeam is headquartered in Omaha, NE. For more information, visit the LeaseTeam Web site at www.leaseteam.com.

###

Contacts:

Valerie Ford, LeaseTeam, Inc.

402-493-3445 ext. 1035

valerie@leaseteam.com

Brei Haywood, Premier Lease & Loan Services

bhaywood@plls.com

[Headlines]

#### Press Release #########################################

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U.S. Housing Starts Down – April 2003

( please see analysis and outlook section)

April starts surprised some analysts by the size of the drop from the March increase: starts were down 6.8% to 1.63 million (SAAR) while single family was down 3% to a still respectable 1.36 million (SAAR). The multi family (MF) sector was the main problem, falling 22%. Permits, an indicator of future activity, were 1.2% to 1.71 million (SAAR). Regionally, starts fell throughout the U.S., declining 1.3% in the Northeast; 7.1% in the Midwest; 10.9% in the South; and 0.7% in the West.

http://two.leasingnews.org/images/Graphs.jpg

Analysis and outlook:

There are some concerns: (1) the job market remains weak; (2) the overall economy outside housing is languishing: (3) corporate profitability is having a tough time in today’s “challenging” business environment; (4) the long overdue weakening of the dollar has been positive so far (e.g. , supports exports), but if it slides too far too fast, interest rates would have to rise in tandem to attract foreign investment which is needed to “finance” our record trade deficit; (5) and the Fed and others are getting concerned with the growing prospects for either disinflation (slower rate of inflation which we have had for the past two years by the way), or deflation (overall drop in real prices). Core CPI (excludes food and energy) for April 2003, compared with April 2002 increased only 1.5%, while the April PPI for finished goods actually fell 0.2% in the past 12 months. With respect to deflation, there is the “good deflation” (what we are now experiencing in some sectors of the economy), which comes from productivity gains that support wage increases and consumer spending; and the “bad deflation” like the 1930’s, which comes from falling demand. Prospects for the bad deflation are remote, and with Bush administration’s tax/economic stimulus package, consumer spending will benefit. Additionally, real income growth continues, so I don’t think we need to worry about the “bad deflation” for now.

As stated on the “Dismal Scientist” website -

(www.economy.com), April simply reversed March’s big gain, with most of the decline being in multi family. Single family activity remains strong, and today’s low mortgage rates should continue to support healthy demand for single family housing through the rest of the year. Multi family is quite weak for two reasons - the weak economy, and the fact that the robust single family market is taking sales away from the multifamily sector.

The consensus-housing outlook for 2003 is 1.70 million starts, with1.35 million, or almost 80 per cent being single-family units. The multi-family sector isn’t expected to improve this year, primarily because affordability and therefore, demand for single-family homes is so good. The main demand drivers for housing continue to be attractive mortgage rates and increasing equity values. The 30 year fixed rate fell to a record low 5.45% this week, following in the footsteps of the 10 – year treasury note, which dropped to levels not seen since the 1950’s (www.cbs.marketwatch.com ). Increasing equity values support consumer spending (e.g., equity withdrawal), and encourage further investment in housing. The main concern with housing, in my opinion, is when/if the negative impacts of the poor job market begin to outweigh the positive impacts of low mortgage rates. To date, the mortgage rate impacts are greater, and this is supporting the housing market.

Here are the statistics by regions and states:

http://two.leasingnews.org/temporary/April03Ushs.htm

sent by:

Carl Villella, CLP

Acceptance Leasing and Financing Service, Inc.

412-262-3225

[Headlines]

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*** Announcement*****************************************

July 21, Essex Country Club, New Jersey, ELFF Golf Tournament

Golf registration is open. Tournament format is best ball, two person teams. Registration is $800 for a two-person team.

Download registration form at http://www.leasefoundation.org/golf/.

For more information contact Lisa Levine at 703-527-8655.

Increased Visibility, Support Industry Research and Have some fun!

Become a sponsor of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation's Annual Golf Outing on Monday, July 21, 2003. Golf sponsorship opportunities are still available;

Hole Sponsors $500, Specialty Hole

Sponsors $600, and Refreshment Sponsors ($1,500-$2,500).

This year's outing will be held at Essex County Country Club in New Jersey and 100 players are expected. Your sponsorship helps support the Foundation's research grant program. For information on golf sponsorships, visit the Foundationwebsite at http://www.leasefoundation.org/golf/golfspon.htm or call Lisa Levine, 703-527-8655.

For more information contact Lisa Levine at 703-527-8655.

Lisa Levine

llevine@ELAMAIL.COM

[Headlines]

***announcement***************************************************

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Streamlined Sales Tax Project Survey---Response Requested

The Sourcing Project Team established by the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP) encourages members of the private sector to complete and return the attached sourcing survey before or after the SSTP meeting in Indianapolis today, May 20. To discuss the survey you can telephone Judy Niccum, Revenue Tax Specialist, Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-297-7866 or email judy.niccum@state.mn.us

Businesses or trade associations completing the survey should send it to Judy Niccum at FAX # 651/296-1938 or to her email address: email judy.niccum@state.mn.us

http://two.leasingnews.org/temporary/Sourcing%20Survey%20for%20Services.htm

Dennis Brown

dbrown@elamail.com

Equipment Leasing Association

[Headlines]

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Shari Lipski says “thank you.”

(This was included in our Letters section last week, but may have

been overlooked due to the size on the days news, so it is repeated

again for those who may have overlooked it. Editor )

As many of you know, my father went into the hospital for a triple-bypass

over a month ago and things did not go as planned. As a matter a fact they

made a turn for the worse with a mild stroke and a drug induced comma.

We've transferred him to the second of three 24-hour care rehabilitation

centers and are hopeful for a full recovery in the months to come. I just

wanted to thank everyone for their kinds words and much needed prayers. It

certainly has helped my family to have so many people pulling for him.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Shari L. Lipski, CLP

slipski@edwinsigel.com

[Headlines]

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Business Leasing News

Here is the latest edition.

http://www.pblaw.com/Newsletters/Bln/Release/bln_2003_04.htm

By the way, you will note Business Leasing News claims to be the

number one Alexa website last month. Well, they are correct. The

information came from our independent survey:

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202003/05_09_2003.htm#alexa

[Headlines]

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Grassley Says Current Leasing Law To Be Maintained In Final Tax Cut Bill

Equipment Leasing Association News

Acknowledging that a provision in the Senate Finance Committee's $350 billion tax cut package had brought many equipment leasing transactions to a halt, before the Senate passed S. 1054 last night, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Chuck

Grassley, (R-IO) made the following statement on the Senate floor:

"Mr. President, it has come to my attention that certain provisions of S.1054 have engendered concern in the equipment leasing industry. I recognize that assets used by vital American industries are often lease-financed. It is not the intention of the

Senate or Committee on Finance to impede legitimate leasing transactions. I wish to assure the markets that in any final legislation, the tax incentives utilized in leases that are considered appropriate under current law will be maintained."

While ELA had submitted language to the Chairman to correct what was an unintended consequence of the provision in the legislation to codify the "economic substance doctrine", when it became clear that there was no time left to amend the provision and have it corrected before Senate passage of the economic growth package, ELA urged the Chairman to make the comment on the record to ensure the market that leveraged leasing and other lease finance products would not be in jeopardy as the House and Senate work over the next several days/weeks to finalize a tax cutting bill.

Coincidentally, the legislation was on the Senate floor the same day over 80 members of ELA were on Capitol Hill lobbying their Senators and Representatives on several industry related issues as part of ELA's Capitol Hill Day. "The timing of Capitol Hill Day could not have been any better", said ELA VP Federal Government Relations, Steve Fier, "as our members saw and

experienced first hand how important it is that Congress understands the role the equipment leasing industry plays in the U.S. economy".

Selected members of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees will soon begin meeting in a Conference Committee to iron out the differences between the House passed $550 billion tax cut package and the Senate's $350 billion

tax cut package. Fier said that "while ELA would have preferred that there was no economic substance doctrine provision in the Senate bill or that it had been corrected before Senate passage, the fact that the Chairman of the Finance Committee is on public record as stating that it is not the Senate's intent to impede legitimate leasing transactions and that the tax incentives utilized in leases under current law will be maintained, is the next best thing."

As the House bill does not contain a similar provision, it is unclear whether or not such a provision will be included in any final tax cut bill. However, Fier noted that there is a similar provision in the Senate-passed CARE Act and that Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Bill Thomas (R-CA), is expected to include a similar provision in his soon to be introduced FSC/ETI repeal bill which means that the issue will be in play for the foreseeable future. "Even though we have spent the past 7 months working with the Senate Finance Committee and Joint Committee on Taxation staffs to educate them on leasing, this situation

is evidence of how non-perfected legislative language can result in unintended consequences and how important it is for members of our industry to come to Washington to talk to their legislators," Fier said.

[Headlines]

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Highlights This Day in American History

1638- Dorchester, MA voted to establish a property tax to support public schools:

“ It is ordered the 20^th of May,1639, that there shall be a rent of twenty pounds a year for ever imposed upon Tomsons Island to be paid by every person that hath property in the said island according to the proportion that any such person shall from time to time enjoy and possess there.”

1704-Elias Neau founds school for slaves in New YorkHis real name was Elias Naud. He was from France, a seaman who sallied to Haiti before arriving in New

York, where he founded the first school for black slaves. More about this period can be learned about the history of southeastern New York, home of the largest African-American population in the US: http://www.africana.com/Utilities/Content.html?&../cgi-bin/banner.pl?banner=Education&../Articles/tt_246.htm

1768- Dolley Madison, a widow, married James Madison. During the British invasion of Washington, D.C., in the war of 1812 she escaped with valuable state papers from the White House before it was burned by the British. Strong-willed, she hung her wash in the east room of the White House to show her disdain for those who thought the presidency was royalty. She was a noted and charming hostess in the complex game of Washington society. She acted as hostess for George Washington and reportedly her charm and social grace was a great

aid in Madison being nominated for President.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/dm4.html

http://www.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/exhibit/index.html

1775-North Carolina. Commemorates claimed signing of a declaration of independence from England by citizens of Mecklenburg County. There is quite a controversy of this event. Historian Allan Nevins, apparently with good reason, says it was a fraud. It was not put into written form until 1800, it wasn’t a county clerk on the basis of his memory of the event. Mecklenburg does figure in the developing schism with Great Britain. In May 1775 some resolutions were passed denying the authority of the king in North Carolina. But there was no mention of independence.” Some North Carolinians, smarting over the Mecklenburg fraud, maintain that they still deserve recognition as the first to declare Independence. The claim is based on a meeting in Halifax, where the delegates to the Congress were instructed to “concur with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency.” The meeting was held in April, 1776. North Carolinian James Street insisted that this “ was the first explicit declaration by any Colony in favor of complete separation from Britain.” Street,” The Revolutionary War(1954),pg.79).

1777-the first treaty between states after the Declaration of Independence was concluded between George and South Carolina at Dwitt’s Corner, SC. Under its provisions, the Cherokees were forced to retire behind a line running southwest through Georgia form the straight part of Pickens County on the North to a point just below the mouth of the Tallulah at the western tip of the state. Since landing

on the continent, the natives were moved further and further from their original

“homeland.” From an estimated population, some say well into the millions http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2002/03/mann.htm , the population shrank

to several hundred thousand, due primarily to disease brought from the old world to humans and animals.. 1825-Birthday of Antoinette Brown, the first woman minister in U.S. History.

A graduate in theology from Oberlin College in 1850, she was refused ordination by a number of churches, but finally accepted by the Congregational Church in South Butler, New York (1852-54.) She married into the renowned Blackwell family (Elizabeth was the first woman physician in U.S. history and her sister Emily, also a physician, was one of the organizers of the first woman's hospital.)

Antoinette had six children and abandoned her battles for women's rights. Later she resumed her women's rights activities to become one of the most sought after speakers in the nation. She also published a number of well received books, her last book “The Social Side of Mind and Action” (1915) was written when she was 90. She lived to 96, long enough to see women get the vote.

http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/OYTT-images/NettyBlackwell.html

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0935312048/avsearch-bkasin-20/002-0667839-4443242

1851-birthday of Emil Berliner, Jewish immigrant, who came to the United States in 1870 from Germany and later worked for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone company. In 1877, the year after Graham invented the telephone, Berliner developed an improved telephone receiver. Ten years later, Berliner dramatically improved the phonograph when he developed the flat gramophone record, which quickly replaced Thomas Edison's recording cylinder. He also developed a method for mass-producing records. He also

invented the microphone among other achievements.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/berlhtml/

http://www.hebrewhistory.org/factpapers/berliner27-II.html

1856-revolutonizing communication, David Edward Hughes of Louisville,KY, received a patent on a telegraph ticker that successfully printed type. He then sold his rights to the Commercial Company for $100,000 on November 1, 1855, a huge sum of money or the day, perhaps the first “dot commer” of the “communication revolution” to follow. The modern teleprinter, telex system and computer keyboards are all direct descendants of this invention

http://www.acmi.net.au/AIC/HUGHES_BIO.html

1862- President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act opening millions of acres of government-owned land in the West to settlers or “homesteaders,” who had to reside on the land and cultivate it for five years. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may20.html

1872- Madeline McDowell Breckinridge birthday; U.S. social activist who began by organizing and taking part in grassroots movements in her native Kentucky battling for educational and health facilities. She campaigned for juvenile courts, branched out into fighting political corruption while heading charity organizations and was even instrumental in building a tuberculosis hospital (a disease she suffered from most of her life). She headed the Kentucky Equal Rights organization which not only successfully passed suffrage in a southern state, but also obtained rights for married women that "allowed" them to keep their own earnings, have joint custody of their own children, etc.

http://www.womeninkentucky.com/site/reform/m_breckinridge.html

http://www.womeninkentucky.com/site/reform/motherssphere.html

1873-Levi Strauss secures the necessary patents for canvas pants with copper rivets to reinforce the stress points. Born in Buttenheim, Bavaria, in 1829, the young Levi Strauss emigrated to the United States in 1847.. He arrived in San Francisco in 1853 with a load of merchandise that he hoped to sell in the California mining camps. Unable to sell a large supply of canvas, Strauss hit on the idea of using the durable material to make work pants for miners. Strauss' canvas pants were an immediate success among hardworking miners who had long complained that conventional pants wore out too quickly. In 1872, Strauss received a letter from Jacob Davis, a customer and tailor who worked in the mining town of Reno, Nevada. Davis reported that he had discovered canvas pants could be improved if the pocket seams and other weak points that tended to tear were strengthened by copper rivets. Davis' riveted pants had proven popular in Reno, but he needed a patent to protect his invention. Intrigued by the copper-riveted pants, Strauss and his partners agreed to undertake the necessary legal work for the patent and begin large-scale production of the pants. Davis' invention was patented on this day in 1873. In exchange for his idea, Strauss made the Reno tailor his production manager. Eventually, Strauss switched from using canvas to heavyweight blue denim, and the modern "blue jeans" were born. Since then, Levi Strauss & Company has sold more than 200 million pairs of copper-riveted jeans. By the turn of the century, people outside of the mining and ranching communities had discovered that "Levi's" were both comfortable and durable. Eventually, the jeans lost most of their association with the West and came to be simply a standard element of the casual American wardrobe.

1901-pianist Jimmy Blythe born Lexington,KY http://www.allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?UID=8:52:12|PM&p=amg&sql=B10175

1916- Norman Rockwell’s first cover for the Post, depicting a boy having to care for his infant sibling—pushing the baby carriage while his buddies set oft to play ball—appeared on the May20 edition. His last Post cover appeared in 1963.

May 20-21,1927- Captain Charles Lindbergh, 25-year old aviator, departed from rainy, muddy Roosevelt Field, Long Island, NY, alone at 7:52am this day in 1927 in a Ryan monoplane named Spirit of St. Louis. He landed at Le Bourget airfield, Paris, at 10:24pm Paris time ( 5:54pm NY time, May 21, winning a $25,000 prize offered by Raymond Orteig for the first nonstop flight between New York City and Paris, France (3,600 miles ). The "flying fool" as he had been dubbed by some doubters became "Lucky Lindy," an instant world hero.

1931-Kenton Lloyd “Ken”Boyer, baseball player and manager, born at Liberty,MO. Boyer was an exceptional third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, winning the National League MVP awards in 1964. He managed the Cards from 1978 though June 8, 1980. Died at Ballwin,MO, Sept 7,1982.

1932- Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic this day .

1941-Harry James records “ You Made Me Love You,” putting the band on top!

1942-Glenn Miller Band records “ I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.” Victor.

1944-The Stan Kenton Band with Anita O’Day records “ And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine.”

1944 Joe Cocker Birthday

http://www.cocker.com/

1945- Cher, whose full name is Cherilyn Sarkasian LaPier, was born in El Centro, California. She and husband Sonny Bono enjoyed great success beginning in 1965 with the chart- topping "I Got You Babe." Sonny and Cher became household names with their TV series which ran from 1971 to '75. But a marriage breakup also ended their professional career together. Cher went on to a successful career as a singer and an actress, hitting number one with three singles in the early '70s, "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," "Half-Breed" and "Dark Lady." She revived her singing career in 1988 with two top-20 singles, "I Found Someone" and "We All Sleep Alone." Recently, she scored a hit with the resurrected 'I got you babe' performed with MTV's Beavis and Butthead.

http://www.cher.com/

http://www.cherworld.com/

1951-The first “Ace” to fly a jet was Captain James Jabara of Wichita, KS, a member of the fourth Fighter Interceptor Wing, who shot down his first and sixth enemy Mig Jet airplanes this day in 1951 over Sinjuiju northwest Korea. He eventually defeated 15 Migs over Korea and became the second triple jet ace. ( the first Triple jet ace was Captain Joseph Christopher McConnell,Jr., who shot down 16 MiG-15s. He shot down three in one day, May 18. He completed 106 missions

in Korea. His neighbors built him a house in Apple Valley, CA, known as Appreciation House. He was killed August 24, 1954 at Edwards Air Force base,

CA, while testing a new plane, an F-86H.)

1953-In just their 13^th game of the season, the Braves, in their first year in Milwaukee, surpassed their total of 1952 attendance of 28,1278, their last year in Boston.

1954- Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" was released. The record was not a hit until after it was included in the soundtrack of "Blackboard Jungle" the following year.
http://www.history-of-rock.com/haley.htm

1956---Top Hits

Heartbreak Hotel/I Was the One - Elvis Presley

The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant

I’m in Love Again - Fats Domino

Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins

1961- A white mob attacked a busload of Freedom Riders in Montgomery, Ala., prompting the federal government to send in United States marshals to restore order.

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0520.html

1964---Top Hits

My Guy - Mary Wells

Love Me Do - The Beatles

Ronnie - The 4 Seasons

My Heart Skips a Beat - Buck Owens

1972---Top Hits

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack

Oh Girl - Chi-Lites

I’ll Take You There - The Staple Singers

Grandma Harp - Merle Haggard

1973 - Ken Moore beat 4,030 competitors to win the 63rd Bay-to-Breakers footrace in San Francisco, CA. Moore stepped his way to the finish line in 37 minutes, 15 seconds over a course measured at 7.8 miles.

1978 - Mavis Hutchinson, 53, made it to New York City to become the first woman to run across America. The 3,000-mile trek took her 69 days. She ran an average of 45 miles each day. Now that’s what we call a daily workout.

1980---Top Hits

Call Me - Blondie

Ride like the Wind - Christopher Cross

Lost in Love - Air Supply

Gone Too Far - Eddie Rabbitt

1982 - TV’s "Barney Miller" was seen for the last time in its original network run on ABC-TV. Hal Linden as Barney, Abe Vigoda as Fish and a talented cast continue to bring the fictional 12th Precinct to TV screens through syndication.

http://timstvshowcase.com/bmiller.html

http://www.zxcproductions.com/web/Abe/abe.html

1985 - The Dow Jones industrial average broke the 1300 mark for the first time. The Dow gained 19.54 points to close at 1304.88.

1985-The game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland was rained out. Remarkably, this was the first rainout of the season in either league, after a major-league record 485 games had been played without a postponement.

1985 - Larry Holmes retained the heavyweight boxing title of the International Boxing Federation at Reno, NV by defeating Carl Wilson in 15 rounds. The fight marked the first, heavyweight title fight in Reno since Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries duked it out in 1910.

1987 - The Milwaukee Brewers ended a 12-game losing streak by beating the Chicago White Sox by a 5-1 score. The Brew Crew had opened the season winning 13 games in a row.

1988---Top Hits

Anything for You - Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine

Shattered Dreams - Johnny Hates Jazz

One More Try - George Michael

I’m Gonna Get You - Eddy Raven